The Invercargill Tragedy

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1120, 15 October 1904, Page 2

The Invercargill Tragedy

—~«— Further Particulars

Hy Tolonriuli.-I'reit AuooiiktiOD. Invbeoaikjill, this day Pkank EuwiN, who was omployod at a wator-raco at Wailmia, and who almt Mrs, Thornton in tho arm, groin, and thigh, and thon shot hiiusolf, was rognided by his fellow workers as mad, because ho carried a rovolvor and constantly talked of shooting people. Eventually ho bocomo so obnoxious that thoy rushed him, and took his pistol away, Erwin hung about a few days vowing vengoance, and then weul to Dunocliu, On Monday ho turuod' up at Waikaia again and culled later at Thornton's house at Broakeuiall cluim, Erwin asked Mrs Thornton, whoso husband was away, to show him somo land, and when sho' onmo out ho fired threo shots at hor, and left with the avowed intention of shooting any man who got his job as racckoopor. Later ho was wanicd.'and a search for tho maniac was instituted. Ho was found dead, having evidently shot himself. No reason is known for the outrage on Mrs Thornton, who is iu a procarious condition.